A ban on native oyster fishing in Lough Foyle is being extended over concerns about their conservation.
The ban, introduced in October 2023 to preserve stocks, was due to end on next Thursday, February 29.
But the Loughs Agency said a decision to extend the ban by a month until March 31 would ensure the preservation of oyster stock.
Sharon McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of the Loughs Agency, said extending the ban would “help maintain a sustainable fishery for the future”.
She said after an assessment of stock in the Foyle in recent months, the agency had determined that the extended closure was “an essential course of action to ensure the continued conservation of oyster stocks”.
“It is not a decision we have taken lightly,” she said.
“We are fully aware of the impact that this will have on our native oyster fishery stakeholders in relation to the fishing of oysters in Lough Foyle.”
Natives are a variety of flat oyster and Lough Foyle is home to one of the last large populations.
The local oyster season normally runs from September to April.
Ms McMahon said the extension was backed by scientific data and was an “informed management decision”.
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